Sports

By Samuel Ouma

A section of Kenyan football fans has opposed the appointment of Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee as the new Harambee Stars head coach.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa confirmed Mulee’s appointment on Wednesday, October 21, and he succeeds Francis Kimanzi who quit on Tuesday. He signed a three-year deal.

The federation announced that Kimanzi and his coaching team left by mutual consent after being in charge for a year; however, there are speculations that he was sacked after opposing Mwenda’s candidature in the recently concluded FKF’s elections.

Mwendwa was on Saturday re-elected as Kenya’s FA boss and he is set to hold the seat until 2024. He beat the closest rivals with more than 70 votes at the federation’s Elective Special General Meeting (SGM) at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi.

Mulee returns to Harambee Stars after previous stints at the helm. It is 10 years now since he left the team but he is remembered for guiding the team to 2004 AFCON in Tunisia.

“It is an honour to be Harambee Stars coach for a second time and the task ahead now is to qualify for the Afcon”, Mulee said.

His first assignment will be back to back AFCON qualifier against Comoros next month.

Football fans have criticized the FKF boss for showing Kimanzi the door despite his good record including a recent 2-1 win over Chipololo of Zambia.

 What angered Kenyans most is that the new coach has not managed a top-flight team since 2010 but has been tasked to lead the team to next AFCON and World Cup.

“Kimanzi is better than ‘Ghost’ Mulee,” said Mathenge Charles.

“Why do we keep on recycling these couches? Don’t we have other coaches especially from Kenya Premier League?” posed Jeremy Beru.

Some fans projected poor performance from the national team which has garnered two points in their last two matches against Egypt and Togo while others reminded Mulee of a great threat Comoros will expose to him.

By Samuel Ouma

Kenya has risen three places in the latest Fifa rankings released on Thursday.

The national team Harambee Stars is now in position 103, up from 106 following a 2-1 win over Zambia in an international friendly played in Nairobi early this month.

The world soccer governing body named Uganda as the top-ranked team in East African region. Uganda Cranes were ranked at 72^nd followed by Kenya, then Sudan (128), Rwanda (133), Tanzania (134), Ethiopia (146) and Burundi (148) in the top 150 globally.

The top 5 teams in Africa are Senegal (22), Tunisia (26), Algeria (30), Nigeria (32) and Morocco (39).

Globally, Belgium, France and Brazil are the best top three teams in the world.

Comoros, Harambee Stars next opponent in the 2021 AFCON qualifiers next month are in position 132.

By Samuel Ouma

Former Tottenham FC midfielder and Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has rubbished the claims that he had been in a sexual relationship with a Kenyan socialite.

Kenyan blogger Arthur Mandela popularly known as X-tian Dela hosted a socialist Shakilla on his show which was streamed online on Instagram and Shakilla alleged she had sexual relations with a host of celebrities including the soccer star.

Reacting to the video circulating online, the Montreal Impact player has threatened to sue X-tian Dela and Shakilla for defaming him.

Wanyama said the allegations are fabricated and meant to disparage his name.

“I wish to distance myself completely from the contents of this defamatory video. The allegations made therein are a total fabrication and a figment of the maker’s imagination at best.

“I have never met any party in the video. I strongly condemn the actions of both the woman in the video and the publisher of the video Arthur Mandela, via his Instagram account @Xtiandela, for encouraging the disparagement of the character of the individuals based on false accusatory statements,” Wanyama stated in a press release.

He said he had worked too hard to build his career and it is unacceptable for one to tarnish his reputation.

Other Kenyan celebrities in the media are Khalighraph Jones, Willy Paul, Otile Brown.

By Samuel Ouma

Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi has called up 34 players in Harambee Stars provisional squad for Zambia friendly match.

The match is a build-up to the upcoming back to back Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers against Comoros in November 2020.

Kimanzi handed a call-up to Barnsley defender Clarke Oduor and experienced goalkeeper Arnold Origi.

The 36-year-old custodian has not featured for the Stars for five years now. The ex-Kenya one has been overlooked after it emerged that he had secured Norwegian citizenship.

In May 2020, he told the Nations Sports that he won’t mind playing for Kenya again if given a chance by the coach.

“I have dual citizenship and I’m eligible. It’s always a dream to play for my country. If the coach thinks I’m good enough I will honour the call-up. Of course, I want to achieve more with the national team and there is still time for that because I’m still actively playing and not planning to stop any time soon. The opportunities will still arise to do something great with the national team,” he reiterated.

The last time Origi played for Kenya was in March 2016 against Guinea Bissau at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi. Kenya was humbled 1-0 by their opponents.

Reports indicate that Kashiwa Reysol striker Michael Olunga, captain Victor Wanyama, and midfield Johanna Omollo may miss the match due to the strict COVID-19 protocols imposed by the countries from which they ply their trade.

However, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is in constant communication with their clubs with a view of having the players released ahead of the friendly.

The match is slated for October 10, at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani behind closed doors.Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers
Arnold Origi (HIFK, Finland), Ian Otieno (Zesco United, Zambia), Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya)

Defenders
Brian Mandela (Unattached), Joash Onyango (Simba, Tanzania), Joseph Okumu (Elfsborg, Sweden), Harun Shakava (Nkana, Zambia), Clarke Oduor (Barnsley, England), Hillary Wandera (Tusker, Kenya), Samuel Olwande (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), David Owino (Mathare United, Kenya), Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito, Kenya), Collins Shichenje (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Andrew Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Badi Baraka (KCB, Kenya)

Midfielders
Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Victor Wanyama (Impact Montreal, Canada), Francis Kahata (Simba, Tanzania), Eric Johanna (Jonkoping’s Sodra IF, Sweden), Cliff Nyakeya (Masr FC, Egypt), Antony Akumu (Kaiser Chief, South Africa), Johanna Omollo (Cercle Brugge K.S.V, Belgium), Ayub Timbe (Beijing Renhe, China), Brian Musa (Wazito, Kenya), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Katana Mohamed (Isloch, Belarus), Austin Otieno (AFC Leopards, Kenya)

Forwards
Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Elvis Rupia (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Masud Juma (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Timothy Otieno (NAPSA Stars, Zambia), John Avire (Tanta FC, Egypt), Oscar Wamalwa (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya)

Reserve Team
Robert Mboya (Tusker, Kenya), Stephen Otieno (Sofapaka, Kenya), Michael Mutinda (KCB), Ibrahim Shambi (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya) Chrispinus Onyango (Tusker, Kenya), Benson Omala (Gor Mahia, Kenya

By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma

Sierra Leone has  partially lifted ban on all sporting activities in the country in order to allow athletes to train and represent the country in international competitions, a press release from the National Sports Authority (NSA) on Friday said.

 This will pave the way for the Leone Stars to start preparation ahead of their international friendly against Mauritania in Nouakchott on October 9, and their back to back 2022 African qualifiers with Nigeria in November.

“On the advice of the National Covid Emergency Response Centre (NaCOVERC) , the Ministry of Sports and the National Sport Authority (NSA) announce the ban on the preparations and training for all pending international competitions lifted,’ ’the release said.

Sporting activities across the country was ban in March due to corona virus pandemic which caused the country’s apex league  to be banned until further notice.

According to the release,  Sporting associations , coaches , athletes, referees, umpires , judges , sports administrators among others are strongly advised to follow all health directives and precautionary measures prescribed by NaCOVERC adding that based on expert advice and specific to any sporting discipline, the NSA and the Ministry of Sports Ministry may prescribe additional measures to mitigate the risk of transmission of covid-19.

“The NSA and the Ministry will conduct national monitoring of all sports and training venues across the country to ensure full compliance with all existing cobid-19 regulations. Further information on the status of the ban on other levels of competitive and recreational sports may be communicated as and when the Ministry of Sports and the NSA are so advised,’’ the release noted.

By James Mwala

Just a day into camp, two Malawi national football team players and two officials have tested positive for Covid19.

The tests were conducted as the Flames prepare for a skeptical participation in Cosafa Cup tournament in South Africa next month, and a head of an Afcon qualifier against Burkina Faso this November.

According to the Football Association of Malawi, the tests were conducted as part of the requirement for the resumption of camp for the national team.

It also follows a waiver that government has solely given to the national football team to prepare for the tournaments and qualifiers as other sporting activities are yet to resume.

The four whose identities have been concealed are currently in self isolation.

‘’We wish to report that all the four were asymptomatic. They are currently in isolation being monitored by our medical team and it is expected that they will be able to report for national duty once they test negative ten days from the day they were tested’’ reads part of the statement from the FA.

Currently, Malawi has 1,501 active cases and recoveries stand at 4,053 with 179 deaths. In total, there have been 5,733 cases and 50,620 tests.

Sporting activities were halted in March as first cases were reported and with schools now open, sporting activist are also resuming.

This week, government is slated to make a stance on the resumption of the top tier football league and other activities.

By Samuel Ouma

Greek second-tier side Ionikos FC has confirmed the signing of Kenyan defender Abud Omar on a nine-month deal.

“It is with great pleasure that we announce the start of our cooperation with Abud Omar. This is a very important transfer move for our team especially after promotion to the second-tier.”

The family of Ionic welcomes Abud Omar and wishes him health, strength, and every success at the club,” read a statement on the club’s official portal.

The former Tusker FC player could not hide joy about the move.

“I am very happy to wear the Ionian jersey. From the first moment the interest arose, I searched the internet and saw how important a team Ionic is with a long history. I know the club has a top organisation and an administration that is working hard to bring success,” he told the club website.

“I’m happy to come here. I am hoping the coronavirus pandemic will end and I will be back in the pitch doing what I love most. On my part, I am ready to work hard and help my team achieve its goals,” Omar continued.

Before the move, the left-footed player was unattached after parting ways with the Romanian side Sepsi SG in 2019.

Apart from Sepsi SG, Omar also turned out for Slavia Sofia from Bulgaria, Panegialios FC (Greece), Bandari FC, and Tusker FC both from Kenya Premier League.

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

The head coach of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon António Conceição has called up Clinton Njie for preparatory games as the country builds up to host the 2022 AFCON and qualifiers for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. Cameroon will face Japan on October 9 at the Stade du Utrecht in a friendly encounter. 

The players are expected to have a camping session in Holland from October 5 to 13, 2020. All of the players summoned are based in Europe, with no local selection on the list. Sports pundits had been hoping that some players in the Elite 1 championship would be giving the call, looking at their performances in the last football season.

Clinton Njie, who recently tendered an apology for his sexual misconduct last year, has been giving a new leaf by the Head coach after a scintillating form for his club side Dynamo Moscow.

Njie signed for Russian outfit Dynamo Moscow for $6 million from Olympique Marseille for whom he spent two seasons. During the 2019/2020 Russian Premier League football season, he played fifteen times and scored one goal. In all competition, Njie played 25 times and scored 3 goals. This season, the player has scored 2 goals in 6 appearances for his side.

Jean Pierre Nsame, record breaker for his club Young Boys has been handed his third called up to the Lion’s den by António Conceição. He will be hoping to get his second start for the Lions since playing against Nigeria on September 4, 2017 in a qualifying match for the 2018 World Cup.

The 2019/2020 football season has been one to remember for the Cameroonian international. At the end of the football season plagued by the COVID-19, Nsame finished as the top goal scorer in the Swiss League with 32 goals, a record for any Cameroonian or African footballer since the likes of Samuel Eto’o (scored 30 goals in a season).

His top scorer award adds to the one he won in the Swiss Challenge League. He won the award in the 2016/2017 season scoring 23 goals. This year, Young Boys won back-to-back-to-back league titles. The side finished on 76 points, 8 points ahead of second-placed St Gallen.

“It has been a milestone for him as an individual,” Edward Mwambo, a writer with Kick442.com told PAV. “It is a good time for him as a player for Cameroon, and we hope that we can tap from these good times and benefit from his goal scoring touch for the Lions.”

Cameroonian sports enthusiasts and journalists have identified Nsame as one of the potent finishers that the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon have been lacking, ever since legend Samuel Eto’o ended his national career.

Cameroon will certainly be counting on him to produce on home soil as the country look to win the AFCON. The country last won it in 2017 but failed to leave up to expectation in the 2019 edition. The team has already qualified for the competition as host but is participating in the qualifiers to be match fit.

The call up features the usual suspects of Andre Onana, Fabrice Ondoa, Kunde Malong, Captain Eric Choupo Moting, Aboubakar Vincent, Oyongo Bitolo.

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

The indomitable lions of Cameroon have been scheduled to play two friendly encounters next month as preparations for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON and the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, reports say.

The five-times champions will lock horns with 2019 AFCON winner Algeria and Japan in the Netherlands in October, kick444.com reported. The Netherlands is scheduled to be the team’s base for their camp between October 5 and 13.

Head coach António Conceição is looking at getting his side match fit for the upcoming qualifiers that have been programmed for November 2020. Cameroon will face Mozambique in a double-header in Douala and Maputo.

These will be the first games that the country will be playing is almost a year. Cameroon’s last game was a win against Rwanda last November in a day two game for the then AFCON 2021, now AFCON 2022.

With the coronavirus pandemic that hit the global scene, many international games had been suspended. However, as countries around the world look to get it under control, most of them have been scheduling international fixtures. Europe has already begun playing their National League matches.

Since taking over as Head coach of Cameroon in 2019 with the sacking of Clarence Seedorf, António Conceição has had two games in charge of the side. His two games came against Cape Verde and Rwanda in the qualifiers for the AFCON.

Cameroon is preparing to host the AFCON in 2022 and hopes to qualify for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. Cameroon drew with Cape Verde before winning against Rwanda last November, all qualifiers for the AFCON 2022.

Cameroon has won the AFCON five times and will be hoping to go one better again when they host Africa in 2022. For the FIFA World Cup, since being the first Africa nation to reach the quarter-finals in 1990, the country has not been able to emulate that feat or even better it.

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

Cameroonian international Njie Clinton has apologized for the sexual misconduct he did online. The apology comes more than one year since Njie posted a video of himself in 2019 having sex off Snapchat, a video viewed by thousands of people before it was taken down.

“I am sorry, I had drunk too much,” Njie said as per Orange.fr in 2019. “I celebrated my new contract and wanted to read the news. I pressed the wrong button.”

Sadly, it was not the first time that Njie had a ride on milky waters. Just in 2018, he was alleged to have invited two female friends back to his hotel room while on international duty with Cameroon, the Sun reported. He turned up a day later than expected ahead of a friendly clash against Burkina Faso. 

Njie signed for Russian outfit Dynamo Moscow for $6 million from Olympique Marseille for whom he spent two seasons. During the 2019/2020 Russian Premier League football season, he played fifteen times and scored one goal. In all competition, Njie played 25 times and scored 3 goals.

“I deeply regret this sad episode in my life that I neither wished for nor enjoyed and which greatly affected me, my loved ones and my family,” Njie said in a recently released statement September 12, 2020.

“Since the onset of this unfortunate moment, I have been looking for the best way to express my apologies to anyone who has been hurt or outraged.”

According to the player, the containment that COVID-19 imposed gave him time to reflect and Njie concluded that he had to personally travel to his country to present his sincere regrets.

“Having been personally affected by the disease only increased my desire to work positively. The health crisis and international travel restrictions did not make this project possible until the start of the new sports season with my club Dynamo Moscow in Russia,” Njie said.

He added: “I would therefore like, by speaking today, to express to all the Cameroonian people, to the Government, in particular the Ministry of Sports, to the officials of the Cameroonian Football Federation, to the technical staff of the Indomitable Lions and all my teammates. My apologies and my desolation for any inconvenience or indignation this may have aroused.”

“During my next stay in Cameroon, I will force myself to go to each other to show the sincerity of my approach. I have a special thought for my teammates who have always accompanied me in these difficult times and have never ceased to show me their precious support.”

Njie made his professional debut for the national team in 2014. He has gone on to represent his nation at 2015, 2017 and 2019 edition of the AFCON, with him winning the 2017 edition of the competition in Gabon. He has played 32 times for the indomitable lions, scoring 9 goals. Clinton’s last goal for Cameroon came in a 2-3 defeat in the hands of the Super Eagles of Nigeria during the 2019 AFCON.

The player will be hoping to get back into the squad of Head coach António Conceição. Cameroon is preparing to host the AFCON in 2020 and hopes to qualify for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. Cameroon drew with Cape Verde before winning against Rwanda last November, all qualifiers for the AFCON 2022.

By Samuel Ouma

Gor Mahia is in the process of bolstering its squad in a bid to defend its Kenya Premier League (KPL) title and do well in the Caf Champions League.

The KPL champions have acquired the services of two foreign players and several local ones.

The club on Monday announced the arrival of Cameroonian midfielder Bertrand Konfor.

Konfor joined K’Ogalo from Oman First Division League side Almudhaibi FC on a two-year deal.

“Bertrand is a midfielder with a lot of experience in the role having played in many clubs in Cameroon as well as doing his trade in Western Asia and specifically in Oman,” read the part of the statement from the club.

The 24-year-old is optimistic his new side will show a scintillating performance in all competitions next season.

“It feels good to join Gor Mahia knowing it’s one of the best clubs in Africa. I am here to help the club win titles both locally and internationally and I believe with the help of my team-mates and technical staff, we will do it,” said Konfor.

Gor had also signed striker Tito Okello from Ugandan champions Vipers SC FC on a three-year deal.

Locally, the team has acquired the services of goalkeepers Samuel Njau and Levy Opiyo from Western Stima and Nairobi City Stars respectively.

Other signings are defender Andrew Juma (Mathare United), midfielder Sydney Ochieng (Western Stima), and winner John Macharia who was plying his trade in Georgia.

The Kenyan side had witnessed an exodus of key players as its financial woos persist. Some of them are Joash Onyango, Boniface Omondi, David Mapigano, and Peter Odhiambo.

Rules allow every club to purchase up to 5 foreign players and now Gor have 3 foreigners, the two new signings, and Ghanaian midfielder Jackson Owusu.

By Samuel Ouma

This year’s Standard Charted Nairobi Marathon has been called off.

The annual competition will not be held as planned due to Covid-19 containment measures instituted by the government to stem the spread of the deadly virus which has infected over 25 million people in the world.

“Our consultations with Athletics Kenya and the Ministry of Sports indicated that we would not be able to plan for a physical event with any certainty,” said Paul Gitau, the chairman of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon Local Organising Committee.

“We then considered a virtual marathon event and consulted other stakeholders, amongst them, running clubs, coaches, and past corporate running teams. After benchmarking with local and international virtual races we concluded that this format promoted improved safety but for it to be successful it still required the majority of participants to leave their homes to cover the race distances; a move that could compromise COVID-19 preventive measure protocols.”

The event was slated for October 25, 2020.

“This was not an easy decision to make. We have held the marathon annually for 17 years, and 2020 was to be no different. However, the depth and scale of COVID – 19 is unprecedented and remains hard to predict.” Gitau said.

More than 17,000 participants took part in 2019 in the marathon which raised over Ksh.30 million towards community investment program and Future Makers which assists youths in need of education, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The bank invested Ksh.15 million to support women start-ups, more than 650 were trained on financial literacy and above 4, 400 girls received life skills and economic opportunity training.